Notes tagged “Structure”

2025

May 6
Use one scene-sequel cycle each act In a Western Character-event story, the scene-sequel cycle repeats three times on the act level. Using ‘Star Wars: A New Hope’ as an example, we examine how that works and how you can use it for your stories.
10 min
Apr 3
The map and the mountain: Fifteen core beats of story structure Story structure frameworks are like maps. They need interpretation. In this note, I briefly cover the framework I use and introduce a series on how it works.
7 min

Oct 24
Applying scene sequel format to story structure Author Dwight V. Swain’s scene-sequel format applies on a broader level to entire act structures.
6 min

Jul 23
The three underlying functions of inciting incidents When story theorists talk about inciting incidents, they’re often referring to one or more of three distinct story functions: the tipping of the apple cart, the call to adventure, or the decision to cross the threshold.
10 min

Aug 15
Distinguishing between structure and style in design Style is what people immediately think about (and remember), but structure is what communicates.
6 min